What's best underwater media

[josue25]

I want to buy matrix bio media for my sump and canister I need to know what is the best underwater media to put under my bio balls becaus when bio balls are underwater they don't work .
I like to see what works best under water
Can any body help me asap

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[drdrewr]

Matrix for your canister. Pond Matrix for your sump!!! www.thatpetplace.com for Pond Matrix.

 

[josue25]

What is the difference between them


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[duanes]

There is really nothing magical about biological media. Once you've got your colony of bacteria going, anything is usable. Plastic scrubbies, lava rock, old toothbrushes are all basically the same. Sure some may be more porous, but in the end, every surface in an aquarium becomes colonized, and as long as you don't seriously overpopulate the tank, one kind is as good as the other.
I don't use any media per se, because I use planted sumps, so the plants, the sand substrate, the bog wood all support tons of benificials.

 

[Gill Blue]

What is the difference between them

size of the media

 

[anarekist]

some say bio rings, some say whatever has the most surface area. if you are baller, sintered glass is prolly the best.

 

[addisonlee25]

I use matrix and scrubbies

 

[West1]

There is really nothing magical about biological media. Once you've got your colony of bacteria going, anything is usable. Plastic scrubbies, lava rock, old toothbrushes are all basically the same. Sure some may be more porous, but in the end, every surface in an aquarium becomes colonized, and as long as you don't seriously overpopulate the tank, one kind is as good as the other.
I don't use any media per se, because I use planted sumps, so the plants, the sand substrate, the bog wood all support tons of benificials.

Pics of your Sump... Im interested on your set up

 

[Iwhoopedbatman]

I like hydroton (the cocoa puffs looking stuff for hydroponics). You can buy it in bulk, cheap, and it works great. I've had zero issues with it breaking down.

One of the LFS repackages it as bio media (when I asked if that's what it was they said yes, but a different brand and they also cleaned it thoroughly - which is something I suppose, it is really dusty when you buy it).

 

[duanes]

This is a 40 gal breeder tank sump

The same sump, during a water change, note the pump compartment in the upper corner

Another window sump, a 30 gal breeder tank.

The one above is placed higher than another final sump tank, that holds equipment below, like pumps, filter sock and heater, it's a 20 gal.

I sometimes use the window sumps to start garden plants, and overwinter pond plants, such a hyacinths.